Interazione uomo-ambiente nella bassa Maremma Laziale durante l’età del rame: aspetti geologici e paleobotanici

The interaction between environment and humans, with their adaptation and modification, produced sometimes very clear evidences in the archaeological and paleoenvironmental records. The aim of this paper is to relate the modes of travertine formation to the climatic changes evidenced by the variations in tree canopy. At the same time, on the basis of the archaeological record, settlement strategies are related to the evolution of these carbonatic formations. The study area is comprised between the Monti di Canino and the Monti Vulsini, where there are numerous Eneolithic evidences; in particular the Neo-eneolithic settlement of Poggio Olivastro and the Eneolithic necropolis of La Selvicciola have been analyzed; the paleobotanical data come from the study of the Lago di Mezzano cores. The comparison of the data evidences a strong connection between pluviometric regime, travertine deposition and human occupation. At Poggio Olivastro, an arid period is followed by a rainy phase that produces new deposition of travertine with the consequent abandonment of an area of the settlement. At La Selvicciola, the new increase in precipi- tations produces an improved activity of the spring localized in the Eastern sector with the consequent shift of human frequentation to the Northern sector